Awakening

Gundam is to Japan what Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are to the United States--an animated television series that became a cultural phenomenon. If this novel is any indication, the primary appeal of Gundam lies in its warrior robot hardware, specifically, the stet caps/pk Mobile Suits, which the author describes as ``giant, humanoid, heavy armor machines, a new type of weapon designed for close-quarter combat in outer space.'' The thin plot follows hero Amuro Rey as he blazes through space, defending the Earth Federation's interests against rebellious space colonies. There are references to serious issues (the environment, the pursuit of a higher level of consciousness), but mostly this is about battles, sophisticated machinery and firepower. Technology takes precedence over characterization, and thematically, the material is retrograde. Of one weapon, a character says, ``Gotta handle 'em like a good woman in bed, with care.'' Only those interested in the literary applications of Japanese cartoons should bother with this graceless import. (Sept.)